Boston GreenScene

Local Social Entrepreneur's Big Idea: Big Citizenship

Being Green not only means being aware of environmental policies and opportunities around you, it means supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and even local authors.  One such author we are pleased to spread the word about is City Year co-founder, Brookline native, and former Massachusetts Senate candidate, Alan Khazei.  Khazei's new book, Big Citizenship: How Pragmatic Idealism Can Bring Out the Best in America, calls on all of us to step up and make a difference.  In a time of contentious, and often unproductive, public discourse, Khazei's call for Pragmatic Idealism is inspiring.  As one of the country's most successful social entrepreneurs, Khazei offers lessons learned, a blueprint for social start-up success, and advice to those striving make a difference in their communities.  Close to this site's heart, Kahzei also clearly identifies that the clean energy wave that our country so desperately needs cannot happen without a coordinated effort from all parties involved. In short, Khazei's new book is a must-read; just be prepared to jump off of your couch and take action after you turn the last page.

To find out more about Big Citizenship and book events happening in your community, check out www.bigcitizenship.us. 

Money for your old appliances.

by Sylvia Rozwadowska

NSTAR offers you $50, and helps you save an additional $150 dollars a year!

The Appliance Recycling Program offers NSTAR customers $50 and free pick up and removal of second fridges and freezers in your basement or garage. The program is a great way to remove your appliances safely and appropriately.

Chances are, the older second refrigerator or freezer in your basement or garage is costing you up to $150 a year to run. Instead, recycle it, reduce your energy use and keep harmful materials out of landfills. They'll pick it up free and you'll pick up $50.

To sign up for a free pickup, call 877-545-4113 or visit www.MassSave.com/recycle for more information and program requirements.

Coolidge Corner Theater presents:Green Screens Series -Ingredients

The Coolidge Corner Theatre continues its Green Screens film series on Thursday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m with a one-night only presentation of INGREDIENTS, a critically acclaimed documentary that explores the thriving local food movement.  

 At the center of this movement are the passionate and committed farmers and chefs who are creating a sustainable food system.  Their collaborative efforts have resulted in healthy, great-tasting food and greater consumer awareness about the benefits of eating local. 

 

Boston Organizations Play A Key Role in Corporate Citizenship Initiatives

by Terry Catchpole, Founder and CEO of The Catchpole Corporation
The Catchpole Corporation consults with firms on their executive visibility initiatives in regard to corporate citizenship.

In the face of unprecedented economic uncertainty and rigid fiscal requirements, corporate executives are nonetheless increasingly embracing a traditionally “soft” facet of business practice: corporate citizenship. This practice, also known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sees firms allocating scarce budget and personnel resources to address their activities in areas such as environmental impact, diversity practices, and ethical sourcing.

There are several reasons for this unprecedented corporate activity we see in this area, none of them more important than businesses’ escalating concern over climate change and appreciation of the role that they can play in reducing carbon emissions and thereby doing their part in helping to head off the threats of global warming.  Companies are noting the Obama Administration’s commitment to aggressive legislative action as regards climate and carbon, as well as the fact that the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December is mandated to produce a new global treaty, supplanting the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, that could well ultimately have significant impact on global businesses of all sizes, in all markets.

Getting Ready for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change

by Terry Catchpole, Founder and CEO of The Catchpole Corporation
The Catchpole Corporation consults with firms on their executive visibility initiatives in regard to corporate citizenship.

The United Nations Conference on Climate Change this December in Copenhagen is likely to bring to light the good, the bad, and the ugly for US companies, including those in the Boston area.  

The “good” will be for companies whose climate-impact and other sustainability practices measure up well on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and other measurements. The “bad“ will be for companies that fall a bit short on these indices, but not demonstrably so. The “ugly” will be those who not only fall short, but whose executives publicly question the received wisdom regarding climate change, global warming, and other shibboleths, and otherwise run afoul of the more vocal factions of environmental activism.

Make no mistake: The UN Conference will afford a veritable global stage for environmental activists of all stripes and businesses worldwide will be in the crosshairs. If the conference attendees fulfill their stated mission, the outcome will be a sweeping global treaty establishing ambitious goals regarding carbon emissions and greenhouse gas production. The pressure will then fall on the world’s developed nations to endorse the treaty.

Corporate Citizenship

by Anneli C. Olila

'Corporate citizenship' is one of the buzz words in today's business arena. Now broadly viewed as desirable among communities and in the corporate world, corporate citizenship's definition has been evolutionary.

Since the beginnings of corporate citizenship's surge in popularity over a decade ago, the most consistent trend has been for companies to pursue it through philanthropic giving and community involvement. These two avenues have seemingly been the most obvious and logical way for companies to do the right thing. Popular press, management theory literature, and corporate PR reports tout - and justifiably - numerous examples of company contributions to charities and sponsorship of community events.